Meaning of Kiribati Flag

The bottom half of the flag has six wavy stripes in a white, blue, white pattern. The stripes represent the Pacific Ocean. The top of the flag is red. A half sun sits atop the ocean waves. Seventeen rays emanate from the sun.

The nation of Kiribati was formerly known as the Gilbert (and Ellice) Islands. When independence from Britain was granted on 12 July 1979 the new name, Kiribati, and flag were adopted.

The rising/sitting sun atop the waves represents Kiribati’s geographic location spread out across the Equator for more than 4,000 km and for more than two million sq kilometers of the Pacific Ocean.

The frigate bird is symbolic of authority, freedom and command of sea. The 17 rays of the sun stand for the 16 islands and Banaba (formerly Ocean Island).

Little noticed are the three main waves which represent three Island groups, the Gilbert, Phoenix and Line Island groups which make up the nation of Kiribati.

The capital of Kiribati is an atoll in the Pacific. It was also the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Island groups.

Would you like to know an interesting bit of information about Kiribati? Banaba is a raised solitary coral island west of and part of Kiribati. The highest point on the island is also the highest point in Kiribati.

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